Some authors use this theme to add an element of redemption. The husband who initially hates his wife can go through a transformation, which makes for an engaging character arc. It gives room for the development of complex emotions and relationships, much like in real - life situations where people's feelings can change over time.
One is 'The Flame and the Flower' by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss. In this novel, the initial relationship between the main characters has elements of the husband's dislike for the wife. However, as the story unfolds, their relationship develops into something more complex and loving.
The wife could explore other types of books or hobbies that they can both enjoy together. This way, she still gets her entertainment, and the husband doesn't have to deal with the romance novels. For example, they could both get into mystery novels or start gardening together. This would bring them closer and might ease the husband's dislike for the wife's romance novels.
Power dynamics is a significant theme too. In historical romance novels, there are often differences in power between the husband and wife, which can contribute to the estrangement. For instance, the husband may have more social or economic power. The story then may revolve around how they navigate these power differences to reconcile. Also, the theme of self - growth is common. Both characters grow as individuals during the process of dealing with their estrangement.
Maybe he feels threatened by the romantic ideals in those novels. He might think his wife will compare their relationship to the fictional ones and find it lacking.
There could be many reasons. Maybe she has had some past traumatic experiences related to sex that make her uncomfortable with sex - related stories. Or perhaps she was raised in a very conservative environment where such topics are considered taboo and she has internalized that view.
One common theme is forgiveness. The estranged couple has to forgive each other for past mistakes to move forward in their relationship.
There's also 'The Duke and I' by Julia Quinn. The main characters, Daphne and Simon, have their own issues that lead to a sort of estrangement at times. Set in the Regency era, it's filled with the charm and social intrigue typical of historical romance novels. Their relationship is a roller - coaster ride of emotions, making it an engaging read for fans of this genre.
Communication is key. The couple should sit down and have an open and honest conversation about their feelings, desires, and concerns. For example, they can set aside a specific time each week to talk about their sexual relationship without judgment.
It could also be due to past traumas that the wife has not fully dealt with. For instance, if she had a bad sexual experience in the past, she might project that onto her relationship with her husband and thus hate any sexual contact.
It could also be that she has had bad experiences with false hope. Feel - good stories often give the impression that things will always work out well in the end. But she may have found in her own life that this isn't always the case. So, she has grown to dislike stories that give this false sense of optimism.